Of Sun & Moon (Midnight Guardian Series, Book 1)

by Bryna Butler

  Chapter 22: Going Places

  “Get up! Get up, Colby!”

  Colby shook the fog from his head and teetered to his feet. “My head…Where are we?”

  “Looks like Ann needs more practice. We’re definitely not back at Brooke’s house.”

  “Brooke,” Colby sighed. His legs gave way. He knelt on the ground and lowered his head.

  Keira didn’t know what to say or even what to feel. She couldn’t believe that she had been tricked, but she found herself filled with relief from the guilt she had assumed when she blamed herself for Brooke’s capture. She shook it off. Now was not the time to dwell on feelings. They were still in danger.

  Keira started to look around to get her bearings. From under the tall spike-leafed trees and vines which surrounded them, she couldn’t see any buildings. In fact, there was not a single sign of civilization. The heat was suppressing. Sweat ran down her forehead and dripped off the tip of her nose. She took the mouse from her front pocket and set him gently on a rotting stump. “Dad, I wish you could tell me what to do.” The mouse looked up at her and twitched his nose in sympathy.

  She pulled off her hoodie to expose the white t-shirt beneath. “It looks like we’re in the rain forest. Do you think we’re in South America?” She asked as she picked the mouse up to begin making her way through the dense undergrowth.

  “Could be,” Colby said hesitantly. He rubbed his eyes and stood up.

  “It’s going to be okay.”

  “Yeah, I know. Listen, I don’t want to…” Something distracted him. His eyes dropped to the ground to examine an impression in the earth. “Maybe it’s the Galapagos Islands. These tracks look like they’ve been made by a big lizard. I’m guessing a komodo dragon.”

  Click. Click.

  The clicking noise gave way to a purr that slowly turned into a hiss as a six-foot lizard stepped from the undergrowth.

  “Definitely not a komodo dragon,” Keira gulped from behind him. “Run!”

  Colby stumbled and Keira grabbed him by his shirt with her free hand. Her strength surprised him. She put him back on his feet without stopping. He took his first full stride and was surprised when his foot didn’t touch the ground. He reached for Keira, but she was already gone.